Medical malpractice possible cause of cerebral palsy

On behalf of David Foster of Sokol & Foster, P.C. posted in Doctor Errors on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

The birth of a child is an eagerly awaited event in a family's life. When a child is born prematurely, complications can arise in Oregon hospitals. In a case in Michigan, a family sued the hospital where their son was born. The boy was born prematurely but had been diagnosed with kidney complications while still in utero. The jury in the case awarded the family $130 million in damages in the medical malpractice suit.

Though born prematurely he was declared healthy and discharged two days after he was born. The kidney condition caused a mild swelling of the kidneys that would require post-natal care. Two weeks after he was born, the boy's mother brought him to the hospital for a kidney scan. An ultrasound confirmed an issue with the kidneys and also indicated the child had lupus, but there was no cardiac involvement indicated.

The child needed a renal scan to further investigate the kidney situation. An IV line was required for the procedure. The staff had a problem with the line and the boy turned blue and appeared to be in cardiac distress. A code blue was not called though staff did administer breathing assistance. The infant suffered significant brain trauma from lack of oxygen resulting in severe cerebral palsy.

Not all neo-natal injuries or complications are preventable. But if a woman in Oregon suspects that her child suffered an injury or complication due to possible negligence on the part of medical professionals, she may wish to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A lawyer can review the facts of the case and advise the client as to whether a civil suit may be possible. A successfully litigated claim may provide compensation for medical costs and future care that may be required.

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